Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in the United States has explained why it selected Haruna Mohammed Salisu, the publisher of WikkiTimes, a subnational media outlet renowned for its fearless journalism in northern Nigeria, to deliver the prestigious Robert Mayberry Memorial Lecture 2025.
The annual lecture, hosted by GVSU’s School of Communications, honors the legacy of Robert Mayberry, who was instrumental in the establishment and growth of the school.
WikkiTimes reports that Mr. Salisu would deliver the lecture titled “Reporting Under Fire: The Role of Local Journalism in Nigeria and Why America Should Care,” on February 19 at the American university.
In an exclusive interview with WikkiTimes, Professor Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, the chair of the 2025 Mayberry Lecture Committee, explained that it was established in 2018 to honor the contributions of Robert Mayberry, who played a crucial role in the development of the varsity’s communication programs.
Prof. Kelly Lowenstein added that Mayberry, who joined the university in the 1970s, was key in expanding the school’s programs and student enrollment, which grew from 50 students in 1984 to nearly 2,000 by the late 1990s.
“Robert Mayberry was a cornerstone of our community for over 30 years,” said Prof. Kelly Lowenstein. “This lecture is a way to keep his ideals and legacy alive, while also inviting distinguished speakers who have made significant contributions to journalism and communication.”
According to him, Mr. Salisu has been recognized for his fearless investigative journalism in Northern Nigeria, often conducted under extremely challenging conditions.
He said previous speakers have included Marisa Kwiatkowski, an investigative journalist known for exposing the sexual abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Kwiatkowski delivered the inaugural Mayberry lecture in 2018, highlighting the impact of investigative journalism.
He added that Salisu’s selection was influenced by his dedication to providing accurate and impactful journalism in regions often overlooked by mainstream media. “Haruna and the team at WikkiTimes are doing extraordinary work under very difficult circumstances,” he said. “Their commitment to investigative journalism in Northern Nigeria resonates deeply with GVSU’s mission of internationalization and the promotion of press freedom.”
He noted that the lecture will focus on the challenges faced by local journalists in Nigeria, particularly in the context of shrinking press freedom and the role of international support in sustaining independent media. “Haruna’s perspective is unique,” he noted. “He will shed light on why local journalism matters, not just for Nigeria, but for the global community, especially in an era where press freedom is under threat worldwide.”
Speaking on the policy changes of the Trump administration that may affect media support, Prof. Kelly Lowenstein expressed concern over the impact of these funding cuts on small media outlets like WikkiTimes, which rely on such support to sustain their operations.
“The gutting of USAID and the wind-down of OSF’s support have created a significant void,” he said. “These organizations have been crucial in supporting accountability journalism not just in Nigeria, but globally. Their absence leaves a gap that needs to be filled.”
Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about the resilience of Nigerian journalists. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among media outlets, tapping into the Nigerian diaspora for support, and exploring innovative ways to share information, such as through local language broadcasts and co-publishing initiatives.
“There’s a large Nigerian diasporic community in the United States, particularly in cities like Atlanta and Houston,” he said. “Engaging this community could provide both financial support and a broader audience for the work being done by outlets like WikkiTimes.”
Prof. Kelly Lowenstein, who is the founder and executive director of the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), emphasized that the lecture would also serve as a call to action for the international community to support press freedom and democracy.
He said “Haruna’s story is a powerful reminder of why journalism matters,” he said. “It’s about holding power to account, giving voice to the voiceless, and ensuring that democracy thrives, even in the face of adversity.”
